U.S. patent application number 11/818301 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for piston ring, piston skirt and cylinder liner lubrication system and method for an internal combustion engine.
This patent application is currently assigned to Advanced Propulsion Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Peter Hofbauer.
Application Number | 20080041346 11/818301 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39100166 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080041346 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hofbauer; Peter |
February 21, 2008 |
Piston ring, piston skirt and cylinder liner lubrication system and
method for an internal combustion engine
Abstract
An improved lubrication system and method for an internal
combustion engine that includes an inertia pump in a piston that
reacts to the movement of the piston and conveys a predetermined
measure of lubricating oil to the space between the piston and its
adjacent cylinder wall immediately below the upper piston rings as
the piston reaches top dead center of its stroke cycle. A first
embodiment utilizes check valves to responsively open and close
passages for the pump in order to control the injection of the
proper amount of oil during each cycle. A second embodiment relies
on a single moving plunger mass element to provide both the pumping
and the valving functions of the inertia pump. A third embodiment
utilizes throttle valves to control the injection of the proper
amount of oil and allow for a spill path without additional
passages. A fourth embodiment utilizes a throttle valve and a check
valve in combination to provide secure pumping and a spill path for
excess oil.
Inventors: |
Hofbauer; Peter; (West
Bloomfield, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PAUL K. GODWIN;Paul K. Godwin, P.C.
7218 Pine Vista Dr.
Brighton
MI
48116
US
|
Assignee: |
Advanced Propulsion Technologies,
Inc.
Goleta
CA
|
Family ID: |
39100166 |
Appl. No.: |
11/818301 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60815718 |
Jun 22, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
123/51BC ;
123/193.4; 123/65B; 123/73AA |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01M 1/06 20130101; F01M
2001/083 20130101; F01M 2001/123 20130101; F16N 7/36 20130101; F01M
1/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
123/51BC ;
123/193.4; 123/65.B; 123/73.AA |
International
Class: |
F02B 25/08 20060101
F02B025/08 |
Claims
1. A system for lubricating the upper piston rings of a piston and
inner cylinder wall of an internal combustion engine and providing
a predetermined measure of lubricating oil into said cylinder
comprising: a piston configured to provide communication and
passage of lubricating oil from an oil supply source to an outlet
port on the piston wall that allows oil to enter into the space
between said piston wall and the cylinder wall adjacent to said
upper piston rings; a pump installed within said piston that is in
communication to receive said lubricating oil within said piston
and force a portion of said oil to said outlet port.
2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said pump reacts to the movement
of said piston to force a predetermined measure of lubricating oil
to said outlet port and into said space as said piston approaches
top dead center of its stroke cycle.
3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said pump is an inertia pump
containing an unbiased plunger mass element which moves in opposing
longitudinal directions in response to the inertia induced by the
acceleration and deceleration movement of said piston to force a
predetermined measure of lubricating oil to said outlet port and
into said space as said piston approaches top dead center of its
stroke cycle.
4. A system as in claim 3, wherein said inertia pump contains
valves which are effected by inertia forces induced by movement of
said piston to open and close at prescribed times of said stroke
cycle to allow said pump to become charged with oil and to allow
said oil to be forced into said space.
5. A system as in claim 3, wherein said plunger mass is contained
within a bore that is configured with apertures and said plunger
mass is configured with internal passages to co-act with the
location of said bore apertures to provide a valving function in
which inertia forces induced by movement of said piston cause said
mass to open and close apertures and passages at prescribed times
of said stroke cycle, cause said pump to become charged with oil
and cause said oil to be forced into said space.
6. A system as in claim 3, wherein said pump is configured to
become charged with a predetermined volume of lubricating oil as
said piston approaches bottom dead center of its stroke cycle.
7. A system as in claim 1, wherein said piston is connected to a
wrist pin and a connecting rod for reciprocating motion within said
cylinder, and said piston, wrist pin and connecting rod each
contain oil passages that are in communication to provide oil from
said supply source to said pump.
8. A system as in claim 7, wherein the outer surface of said wrist
pin remains in constant contact with an inner surface of said
piston and the outlet of said wrist pin oil passage is constantly
in communication with the inlet of said piston oil passage during
the entire stroke cycle of said piston.
9. A system as in claim 8, wherein said outlet of said wrist pin is
configured to be larger than the inlet of said piston oil passage
to accommodate the rocking movement that takes place between the
outer surface of said wrist pin and inner piston surface during the
stroke cycle of said piston while providing said constant
communication with said inlet of said piston oil passage.
10. A system as in claim 1, wherein said outlet port on the piston
is located adjacent the contact point between said piston rings and
said cylinder wall that is determined to be subjected to the
greatest side forces during the stroke cycle of said piston.
11. A system as in claim 1, wherein said piston is configured to
provide a spill pathway for allowing excess oil that is not forced
through said outlet port to return to said source.
12. A system as in claim 11, wherein said outlet port on the piston
is located adjacent to said upper piston rings and not exposed to
combustion gasses during operation of said engine and said piston
wall is provided with an annular groove that intercepts said outlet
port and is oriented parallel with said piston rings to encircle
said piston and allow flow distribution of said lubricating oil
around said piston.
13. A method of lubricating the upper piston rings of a piston and
inner cylinder wall of an internal combustion engine and providing
a predetermined measure of lubricating oil into said cylinder
comprising the steps of: providing a piston configured to provide
communication and passage of lubricating oil from a supply source
to an outlet port on the outer wall of said piston that allows oil
to enter into the space between said outer piston wall and the
cylinder wall adjacent to said upper piston rings; providing a pump
within said piston that is in communication to receive said
lubricating oil within said piston from said supply source and
forcing a predetermined measure of said oil to said outlet port at
predetermined intervals during the stroke cycle of said piston.
14. A method as in claim 13, further including the step of:
charging said pump with a portion of said oil from said supply
source as said piston approaches bottom dead center of its stroke
cycle; and said step of forcing said oil to said outlet port occurs
as said piston approaches top dead center of its stoke cycle.
15. A method as in claim 13, wherein said pump is provided as an
inertia pump containing an unbiased plunger mass element which
moves in opposite longitudinal directions in response to the
inertia induced by the acceleration and deceleration movement of
said piston to force a predetermined measure of lubricating oil to
said outlet port and into said space as said piston approaches top
dead center of its stroke cycle.
16. A method as in claim 13, wherein said pump is configured to
react to the movement of said piston to force a predetermined
measure of lubricating oil to said outlet port and into said space
as said piston approaches top dead center of its stroke cycle.
17. A method as in claim 16, wherein said inertia pump is provided
with valves and said valves are opened and closed at prescribed
times during said stroke cycle by inertia induced forces from the
reciprocating movement of said piston to allow said pump to become
charged with oil and to allow a predetermined portion of said oil
to be forced into said space.
18. A method as in claim 16, wherein said pump is provided with a
first check valve that is forced open by the inertia induced force
of said piston decelerating as it approaches bottom dead center and
accelerating as it leaves bottom dead center during its stroke
cycle to allow oil from said supply source to flow into and charge
said pump; and said first check valve is forced closed when said
acceleration forces following bottom dead center diminish below a
predetermined amount.
19. A method as in claim 18, wherein said pump is provided with a
second check valve that is forced open by the inertia induced force
of said piston decelerating as it approaches top dead center and
accelerating as it leaves top dead center during its stroke cycle
to allow said predetermined measure of oil from said pump to flow
through said outlet port and into said space; and said second check
valve is forced closed by the inertia forces which cause said first
valve to open.
20. A method as in claim 16, wherein said plunger mass is provided
within a bore that is configured with apertures and said plunger
mass is configured with internal passages to co-act with the
location of said bore apertures to provide a valving function in
which inertia forces induced by movement of said piston cause said
mass to open and close apertures and passages at prescribed times
of said stroke cycle, cause said pump to become charged with oil
and cause said predetermined measure of oil to be forced into said
space.
21. A method as in claim 16, wherein said pump is provided with a
first throttle valve that is forced open by the inertia induced
force of said piston decelerating as it approaches bottom dead
center and accelerating as it leaves bottom dead center during its
stroke cycle to allow oil from said supply source to flow into and
charge said pump; and said first throttle valve becomes relatively
closed when said acceleration forces following bottom dead center
diminish below a predetermined amount.
22. A method as in claim 21, wherein said pump is provided with a
second throttle valve that is forced open by the inertia induced
force of said piston decelerating as it approaches top dead center
and accelerating as it leaves top dead center during its stroke
cycle to allow said predetermined measure of oil from said pump to
flow through said outlet port and into said space; and said second
throttle valve remains relatively closed by the inertia forces
which cause said first valve to open and allows spill of excess oil
towards said source.
23. A system for pumping a predetermined amount of liquid from a
liquid source to an outlet port, comprising: a first mass element
configured for reciprocating movement from one extreme position to
an opposite extreme position; said first mass being configured with
a first port that is connected to said source of liquid, said
outlet port and internal passages that connect between said first
port and said outlet port; a first portion of said passages forming
a bore that extends in a direction that is parallel to the
direction of reciprocating motion of said first mass element,
having a first end communicating with both said first port and said
outlet port; a second portion of said passages forming a pump
chamber communicating with both said first port and said outlet
port at a first end and with said first end of said bore at a
second end: a second mass element mounted for reciprocating
movement in said bore for movement within said bore; a pump element
extending from said second mass element through said first end of
said bore and into said pump chamber; wherein said second mass and
said pump element reciprocate within said first mass in response to
acceleration forces and deceleration forces produced by the
reciprocating movement of said first mass element as it moves
towards and away from each extreme position to pump a predetermined
measure of liquid through said outlet port.
24. A system as in claim 23, wherein said first mass further
includes an escape port; and a third portion of said passages
forming a spill pathway between said chamber and said escape port
to allow excess liquid that is not pumped through said outlet port
to pass through said escape port.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/815718, filed Jun. 22, 2006.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention is related to the field of internal
combustion engines and more specifically to a lubrication system
and method for supplying lubricating oil to the piston rings,
piston skirt and cylinder liners of 2-cycle engines.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Some conventional internal combustion engines are configured
to spray or splash lubricating oil on the cylinder walls or piston
liners over which the piston rings travel during the
exhaust/compression stroke cycle of the engine.
[0004] In some 2-cycle engines, such as the Internal Combustion
Engine With A Single Crankshaft And Having Opposing Cylinders And
Opposing Pistons in each cylinder ("OPOC engine") described in my
U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,443 and incorporated herein by reference,
lubricating oil is pumped through passages in the crankshaft and
connecting rods to the piston pins. However, conventional systems
spray or splash crankcase oil into the cylinder area below the
piston rings to effect wetting of the liner surfaces. In such
lubrication systems, the piston rings pick up the lubricating oil
as they pass over the wetted liner surfaces and carry it forward in
the direction of the combustion chamber as the piston travels from
bottom dead center ("BDC") towards top dead center ("TDC"). With
each stroke, oil is carried past the exhaust and inlet ports of the
cylinder.
[0005] There is a need to improve the lubrication system as it
applies to 2-cycle engines, since if the liner is too wet, the
piston rings carry too much oil forward into the scavenging ports
and into the combustion chamber. This results in loss of oil
through the exhaust ports (HC emissions). Also, the moving of oil
past the intake ports causes some oil to be carried into the
combustion chamber, which alters the combustion process.
Conversely, if insufficient oil is transported by the piston rings,
then excessive wear results.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention provides several improvements to the
lubricating systems of 2-cycle engines. Four embodiments are shown
which utilize an inertia pump in each piston to regulate and inject
the proper amount of oil into the space between the piston cylinder
liner and the lower piston ring of the upper set of piston rings
near the piston crown as the piston is completing its compression
stroke on its way to reaching TDC. This continues also during the
first portion of the expansion stroke. This point of injecting
lubricating oil effectively lubricates the top of the travel of the
piston rings and allows the injected lubricating oil to be drawn
down the liner walls in a controlled manner, but not past the
exhaust and intake ports.
[0007] In a first embodiment, check valves are employed along with
a plunger in an inertia pump. One check valve acts to regulate the
flow of oil from a supply source into the pumping portion of the
pump chamber when the piston decelerates while approaching its BDC
in the later part of the expansion stroke and during the
acceleration that occurs during the early portion of the
compression stroke. A second check valve acts to allow the inertia
pump to release the oil from the piston port in reaction to the
inertia caused movement of the pump plunger as the piston
decelerates during the later portion of the compression stroke
while approaching TDC and during the acceleration that occurs
during the early portion of the expansion stroke. A separate spill
passage allows excess oil to be returned to the source.
[0008] In a second embodiment, a pump plunger is the sole moving
component of an inertia pump and is configured to act as both the
pump and the valving mechanism as it is subject to inertia induced
reciprocating motion within the pump chamber. In a first position,
when the piston is decelerating during the later portion of its
expansion cycle and approaching BDC, the pump plunger through
inertia, is positioned at one extreme end of the pump chamber and
opens a path for oil from a supply source to flow into the pump
displacement in the pumping portion of the pump chamber. In that
position, there is no path for the oil to flow to the cylinder
liner. As the stroke of the piston continues its compression stroke
past BDC, the pump plunger holds that position until there is
sufficient deceleration to cause the pump plunger to move away from
that one extreme end. In doing so, the pump plunger closes the flow
path of oil from the supply source. As the piston decelerates
during the later portion of the compression stroke approaching TDC,
it causes the pump plunger to move, through its mass inertia, to
the opposite end of the pump chamber. In this embodiment, the
plunger acts to keep the path from the supply source closed and
opens a flow path between the pump displacement portion of the pump
chamber and the piston oil outlet port. In this manner, a
predetermined amount of oil is injected into the space below the
lower piston ring, of the upper set of rings, just as the piston
reaches TDC and after. A spill passage allows for excess oil to be
bled from the pump chamber and return to the source.
[0009] In a third embodiment, throttle valves are employed at both
the inlet and the outlet of the inertia pump to control the flow of
oil both during the charging of the pump and during the injecting
by the pump. A first throttle valve is located in the passage
formed between the source and the pump displacement chamber to
allow low restriction to the flow of oil during the charging cycle
that takes place while the associated piston mass is decelerating
towards BDC during the expansion stroke and accelerating away from
BDC during the compression stroke of the engine. During the
deceleration portion, towards BDC, the inertia pump creates a
relative vacuum that causes oil to be pulled into the pump
displacement chamber. This applies forward forces to the first
throttle valve that cause it to become relatively open. The minor
vacuum has the opposite effect on the second throttle valve which
is located at the pump outlet. The vacuum causes reverse forces to
be applied to the second throttle valve and it becomes relatively
closed. When the pump starts to pump oil as the piston approaches
TDC, the second throttle valve at the outlet becomes relatively
open and the first throttle valve becomes relatively closed.
However, due to the nature of throttle valves they do not become
completely closed and therefore, the first throttle valve allows
for proportioned and excess oil to spill back to the source when
the pump plunger is driven by inertia to inject a predetermined
volume of oil through the second throttle valve at the pump outlet.
This embodiment has the advantage of not requiring a separate
passage for spill oil return of oil to the source.
[0010] In a fourth embodiment, similar to the third embodiment, a
single throttle valve is employed at the inlet to the inertia pump,
while a check valve is employed at the outlet of the inertia pump.
In this embodiment, the throttle valve acts as a 2-way valve having
different flow characteristics for forward and reverse flow, while
the check valve has fully open and fully closed positions to
prevent drawing oil from the cylinder wall during the charge phase
of the pump. This embodiment also has the advantage of not
requiring a separate spill passage and also prevents reverse draw
at the outlet port during the charge cycle of the pump.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved lubricating system and method for a 2-cycle engine by
providing an oil pump that acts in response to acceleration and
deceleration of the piston to inject a predetermined amount of oil
between the piston and the piston cylinder liner.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
improved lubricating system and method for a 2-cycle engine by
providing an inertia pump within each piston to inject a
predetermined amount of oil into the piston cylinder at the top
dead center position of each piston.
[0013] It is a further object of the invention to provide an
inertia pump that utilizes a single movable component to provide
the valving and pumping functions.
[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
several embodiments with check valves, throttle valves and sliding
elements to achieve operating alternatives.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is an elementary cross-sectional drawing of the left
cylinder of a 2-cycle OPOC engine showing the location of the
embodiments of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the OPOC engine
shown in FIG. 1 with a first embodiment of the present invention
when the pistons are at TDC.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of
the present invention as located in the left inner piston, of the
OPOC engine shown in FIG. 2, shown in its BDC position.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of
the present invention as located in the left inner piston, of the
OPOC engine shown in FIG. 2, shown in its TDC position.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a chart showing the inertia forces present on an
inertia pump plunger during a full stroke cycle of pistons in a
2-cycle engine containing the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the OPOC engine
shown in FIG. 1 with a second embodiment of the present invention
when the pistons are at TDC.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of
the present invention as located in the left inner piston, of the
OPOC engine shown in FIG. 6, shown in its BDC position.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of
the present invention as located in the left inner piston, of the
OPOC engine shown in FIG. 6, shown in an intermediate position
within the stroke cycle.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of
the present invention as located in the left inner piston, of the
OPOC engine shown in FIG. 6, shown in its TDC position.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the pump plunger mass,
of the first embodiment taken along Section lines A-A in FIG.
3.
[0025] FIG. 1 1A is cross-sectional view of the pump plunger mass,
of the second embodiment taken along Section lines A-A in FIG.
7.
[0026] FIG. 11 B is cross-sectional view of the pump plunger mass,
of the second embodiment taken along Section lines B-B in FIG.
8.
[0027] FIGS. 12A and 12B are cross-sectional elevation views of a
throttle valve such is employed in other embodiments of the present
invention being respectively exposed to forward and reverse flow
forces.
[0028] FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional elevation view of a third
embodiment of an inertia pump of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 13B is an end view of the inertia pump embodiment shown
in FIG. 13A.
[0030] FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional elevation view of a fourth
embodiment of an inertia pump of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional elevation view of the fourth
embodiment inertia pump installed in a the inner left piston of an
internal combustion engine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0032] While the present invention is summarized above as being
applicable for several types of internal combustion engines, it is
exemplified herein as being installed in a 2-cycle OPOC engine,
such as that shown in my referenced patent.
[0033] In FIG. 1, a single left cylinder 100 of a multi-cylinder
OPOC engine is shown with an outer piston PLO and an inner piston
PLI at their TDC positions in the cylinder. The pistons are mounted
for reciprocating motion within the cylinder 100 and are connected
to a single crankshaft centered for rotation on axis 130. The outer
piston PLO is connected to the crankshaft via pull rod 109. The
pull rod 109 is connected at journal "1" which moves along the
circular path 131 when the crankshaft is rotated on its axis 130.
(In the actual OPOC engine configuration, there are two
pullrods--one on each side of the piston. In this drawing, only one
is shown.)
[0034] The inner piston PLI is connected to the crankshaft via a
single push rod 113 to a journal "2" which moves along the circular
path 133 when the crankshaft is rotated clockwise on its axis 130.
Other features of the cylinder 100 include inlet ports 103, exhaust
ports 107 and a fuel injection port 105. Inertia lubrication pumps
200 and 200' of the present invention are also represented in FIG.
1 and more detail is presented in the subsequent drawings.
[0035] In FIG. 2, the piston arrangement, first embodiment of the
inertia lubrication pumps 200 and 200', and associated lubrication
system are shown. Inner piston PLI is shown to have an upper set of
piston rings 141 and 143 near its face 101. (Most pistons of two
stroke engines would also have a lower set of piston rings near the
base of the piston, but are not necessary to be shown for purposes
of understanding this embodiment.) Similarly, outer piston PLO
contains a set of upper piston rings 145 and 147 near its face 103.
The piston rings function in a conventional manner to allow linear
and low friction movement of the pistons within the cylinder walls
or liner 117 while providing an effective gas pressure seal between
the defined combustion chamber and the ports below the rings.
[0036] In FIG. 2, each of the pistons PLI and PLO contain identical
lubrication systems driven by inertia pumps 200 and 200' that
function separately during the asymmetrical movement of the pistons
during each engine stroke cycle. In the case of the outer piston
PLO, the oil is injected by the pump 200' through an outlet port
into an annular groove 171 formed on the circumference of the
piston below the upper set of rings 145 and 147. In the case of the
inner piston PLI, the oil is injected by the pump 200 through an
outlet port into an annular groove 170 formed on the circumference
of the piston below the upper set of rings 141 and 143. The outlet
port of each inertia lubrication pump 200 and 200' is located at
that side of the piston which is most subject to side forces that
push the piston against the liner after TDC.
[0037] The following explanation focuses on the lubrication system
of the inner piston PLI to illustrate the principles involved in
the construction and operation of the present invention. However,
it is represented that in each of the shown embodiments, the two
opposing pumps operate to cause them to each provide a controlled
amount of oil to be injected below their upper set of piston rings
at or near the TDC position represented in FIG. 2.
[0038] Piston PLI contains a cylindrical journal 159 into which a
wrist pin 151 is inserted crosswise. The push rod 113 is connected
to the wrist pin 151 and provides interconnection between the
piston and the crankshaft. The wrist pin 151 is slightly smaller in
diameter than the journal 159 and therefore provides an eccentric
gap 157 that allows for the wrist pin to oscillate with a slight
rocking motion about its axis, when the engine is in operation. The
push rod 131 is driven and causes the wrist pin 151 to rock by the
motion of the crankshaft journal.
[0039] An oil passage 115 is shown in the wrist pin 151 which is in
communication with a conventional lubricating oil supply source.
The source supplies lubricating oil from a crankcase sump pumped by
an oil-pump through passages in the crankshaft, crankshaft journals
and connecting rods, to the wrist pins. While that source is
normally provided to supply lubricating oil to the wrist pin and
the piston journal, the present invention makes use of its presence
to provide a source of lubricating oil to the inertia pump 200. An
additional oil passage 123 extends from the passage 115 to the
outer surface of the wrist pin.
[0040] In the piston PLI an oil passage 127 is formed that extends
from the journal surface opposite the outlet of wrist pin passage
123. A recess opening 155 is formed on the surface of the wrist pin
151 to provide a transition and constant opening between the
relatively moving (rocking) wrist pin passage 123 and linear moving
piston passage 127, throughout the engine stroke cycle. Oil passage
127 extends to the inertia pump 200.
[0041] The inertia pump 200 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and
4 which show the pump in two extreme stages: 3) becoming primed
with an oil volume when the piston is near BDC; and 4) pumping a
controlled volume of lubricating oil just below the piston rings
when the piston is near TDC.
[0042] Inertia pump 200 is shown to include a two stage pump bore
that includes a leakage drain bore section 213 and a plunger bore
or displacement chamber 215. A two stage plunger element resides
within the pump bore and includes an unbiased plunger mass portion
217 that resides totally in bore section 213 and a pump plunger
portion 219 that extends from plunger mass portion 217 to move
within displacement chamber 215. A stopper element 247 is located
at one end of bore section 213 to limit movement of the plunger
element therein. Stopper element 247 includes a central opening 249
through which excess oil can escape through an escape passage 173
(see FIG. 2) that leads through the piston and allows excess oil to
return through a passage in the piston to the crankcase sump (not
shown).
[0043] Piston oil passage 127 connects to an oil feed passage 205
in the inertia pump 200 through an open (normally closed) check
valve 203 when the piston is near BTC. Oil feed passage 205 is in
open communication with displacement chamber 215, as well as to a
spill passage 207 and a normally closed check valve 209 (shown in
its closed position). Spill passage 207 leads back to bore section
213. Pump outlet passage 209 extends from check valve 209 to
annular groove 170 formed on the piston surface adjacent to and
below piston rings 141 and 143.
[0044] The plunger mass portion 217 of the plunger element contains
longitudinally formed grooves 211. (See FIG. 10 for a
cross-sectional view taken along section lines A-A in FIG. 3.) The
grooves 211 function to lower the resistance of the plunger mass
when it is moved by inertia within the bore by allowing oil that is
within the bore section 213 to flow through the grooves.
[0045] As mentioned earlier, FIGS. 3 and 4 show the inertia pump in
two distinct positions. In FIG. 3, piston PLI is shown as having
entered into the later part of its expansion/power stroke when it
is approaching BDC, as well as the initial part of its compression
stroke when the inertia forces are high (See FIG. 5 graph "PLI"),
causing the plunger element to be moved to the far right end of the
bore and against stop 247. In FIG. 4, piston PLI is shown as having
entered into the later part of its compression/exhaust stroke when
it is approaching TDC, as well as the initial part of its expansion
stroke when the inertia forces are high (See FIG. 5 graph "PLI"),
causing the plunger element to be moved to the far left end of the
bore and against bore end wall 251.
[0046] As the piston moves through its stroke cycle is changes
speeds and therefore creates inertia forces that are graphed in
FIG. 5 for an engine that was running at approximately 4000 rpm.
Referring to the PLI plot, inertia forces prior to and after
reaching BDC (180.degree. on the chart) cause the plunger element
to be forced to the right of the bore. This occurs between
approximately 60 degrees prior to BDC when the piston is
decelerating at the end of its power stroke and 40 degrees
following BDC and when the piston is accelerating at the beginning
of its compression stroke. Contrastingly, inertia forces prior to
and after reaching TDC (0.degree. and 360.degree. on the chart)
cause the plunger to be forced to the left of the bore. This occurs
between approximately 60 degrees prior to TDC when the piston is
decelerating at the end of its compression stroke and 40 degrees
following TDC and when the piston is accelerating at the beginning
of its expansion stroke.
[0047] During the phases of the stroke nearing BDC, the plunger
mass is moved within the bore section 213 to the point shown in
FIG. 3. As it is moving right, it draws a negative pressure on the
check valve 203; causing check valve 203 to open and allow
lubricating oil from the pressurized source to flow from passage
127 to the now expanded displacement chamber 215. Any excess oil
that flows through check valve 203 flows through spill passage 207
and into bore section 213 as it is expanding and also through the
plunger grooves 211 to escape through aperture 249 and passage 173.
Even after the plunger 217 reaches stop 247, excess oil is allowed
to flow through the spill passage 207 and escape through passage
173. When plunger 217 reaches stop element 147 the pump is fully
primed with a predetermined charge of lubricating oil. The inertia
forces acting on the moving masses of the check valves support the
function of the valves, in addition to the pressure
differences.
[0048] During the phases of the stroke nearing TDC, the pressure
and the inertia forces cause check valve 203 to close and inertia
forces cause the plunger mass to be moved within the bore section
213 to the point shown in FIG. 4. As it is moving left, the plunger
mass creates a positive pressure on the oil in displacement chamber
215 and check valve 209. The pressure and the inertia forces cause
check valve 209 to open. A small amount of lubricating oil flows
into passage 211 and through the outlet port into the annular
groove 170. Because the sizes of the plunger, the associated bore
volume and the spill passage 207 are precisely selected, one can
rely that a small predetermined volume of lubricating oil will be
injected from the outlet port into the annular groove 170 for the
selected engine application, while excess oil is allowed to escape
through spill passage 207. In addition, this configuration ensures
that lubricating oil is properly injected into the cylinder just
below the upper rings and at the appropriate time in the cycle:
TDC.
[0049] Although the first embodiment shows the use of a check
valves 209 and 203, other valve techniques are also appropriate,
such as a miniature throttle valve that functions to offer a higher
resistance to oil flow in one direction as compared to lower
resistance to oil flow in the opposite direction. Uses of such
valves are shown in the third and fourth embodiments described
below.
[0050] A second embodiment of the present invention is described in
conjunction with FIGS. 6-9, 11A and 11B. In this embodiment, the
inertia pump is configured to have only one moving part--the
plunger mass element. All valving functions are accomplished by the
configurations of the oil passage openings to the plunger bore and
the plunger mass element.
[0051] In FIG. 6, the left inner and outer pistons (PLI and PLO)
are shown at their TDC positions in their respective stroke cycles.
All elements of the pistons correspond to those described with
respect to the first embodiment except the inertia pumps 400 and
400'. In addition, piston oil passages 327 and 329 are routed
differently within the pistons PLI and PLO. However, such routing
is merely for illustration purposes and is not restrictive to the
defined invention.
[0052] Inertia pump 400 is shown in FIG. 7 to include a two stage
pump bore that includes a leakage drain bore section 413 and a
displacement chamber 415. A two stage plunger element resides
within the pump bore and includes a plunger mass portion 417 that
resides totally in bore section 413 and a pump plunger portion 419
that extends from plunger mass portion 417 to move within
displacement chamber 415. A stopper element 447 is located at one
end of bore section 413 to limit movement of the plunger element
therein. Stopper element 447 includes a central opening 449 through
which excess oil can escape through an escape passage 373 that
leads through the piston and allows oil to return to the crankcase
sump.
[0053] Piston oil passage 327 connects to an oil feed passage 403
through ports 420 and 421 formed in the plunger bore section 413
when an annular groove 409 formed in the plunger mass portion 417
is aligned therewith (FIG. 7 shows ports 420 and 421 to be opened).
Oil feed passage 403 connects to displacement chamber 415, and also
to a spill passage 407, a passage 410 and port 422 also formed in
the plunger bore section 413. Spill passage 407 leads back to
plunger bore section 413. Port 423 is formed in plunger bore
section 413 to be directly below port 422 and is in communication
with pump outlet passage 411 (FIG. 7 shows ports 422 and 423
closed). Pump outlet passage 411 extends from port 423 to annular
groove 170 formed on the piston surface below rings 341 and
343.
[0054] The plunger mass portion 417 of the plunger element contains
a plurality of longitudinally formed aperture passages 425 which
extend between the end faces of the plunger mass portion. (See FIG.
11A for a cross-sectional view taken along section lines A-A in
FIG. 7.) The aperture passages 425 function to lower the resistance
of the plunger mass when it is moved by inertia within the bore by
allowing oil that is within the bore section 413 to flow through
the aperture passages.
[0055] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show the inertia pump in three distinct
states. In FIG. 7, piston PLI has entered into the later part of
its expansion stroke when it is approaching BDC, as well as the
initial part of its compression stroke when the inertia forces are
high (See FIG. 5 graph "PLI"), causing the plunger element to be
moved to the far right end of the bore and against stop 447. In
FIG. 8, piston PLI has started to enter into the mid-portion of the
compression stroke when deceleration forces cause the inertia of
the plunger to move it left (from FIG. 7) to close off ports 420
and 421 and maintain ports 422 and 423 closed as well. In FIG. 9,
piston PLI has entered into the later part of its compression
stroke when it is approaching TDC, as well as the initial part of
its expansion stroke when the inertia forces are high (See FIG. 5
graph "PLI"), causing the plunger element to be moved to the far
left end of the bore and against bore end wall 451.
[0056] During the phases of the stroke nearing BDC, the plunger
mass is moved within the plunger bore to the point shown in FIG. 7.
As it is moving right, and the annular groove 409 is registered
between ports 420 and 421, it creates an open valve that allows
lubricating oil from the pressurized source to flow from passage
327 to passage 403 and the now expanded displacement chamber 415.
Any excess oil that flows through open valve flows through spill
passage 407 and into bore section 413 as it is expanding and also
through the plunger aperture passages 425 to escape through
aperture 449 and passage 373. At that point, excess oil can
continue to flow through the plunger aperture passages 425 and
passage 373.
[0057] As the cycle continues, the inertia forces cause the plunger
element shown in FIG. 8 to move left and thereby close all the
ports until the plunger has been forced by inertia to its full left
position as shown in FIG. 9. Of course, FIG. 8 is also illustrating
the position of the piston when the stroke cycle is causing the
plunger to be forced by inertia to move right from its FIG. 9
position and before it again reaches its FIG. 7 full right
position.
[0058] During the phases of the stroke nearing TDC, valve ports 420
and 421 remain closed and inertia forces cause the plunger mass to
be moved within the plunger bore to the point shown in FIG. 9. As
it is moving left, the plunger mass creates a positive pressure on
the oil in displacement chamber 415 and forces it to flow through
the open valve created between ports 422 and 423. The pressure
forces a small predetermined measured volume of lubricating oil
into passage 411 and through the outlet port into annular groove
370. Excess oil escapes through spill passage 407 and passage
373.
[0059] As in the first embodiment, the sizes of the plunger, the
associated bore volume and the spill passage 407 are precisely
selected so that one can rely that a predetermined volume of
lubricating oil will be injected from the outlet port and into the
annular groove 370 for the selected engine application. This
configuration also will ensure that lubricating oil is properly
injected into the cylinder just below the upper rings and at the
appropriate time in the cycle: TDC.
[0060] In FIGS. 12A and 12B a throttle valve 500 is shown in
relatively open and closed positions, respectively. In both FIGS.
12A and 12B, the throttle valve 500 is shown as formed from a solid
cylinder 501 and a flexible annular restriction element 503. The
restriction element 503 is formed to define a forward flow
direction for liguid through its center opening. The opening 505 in
the restriction element 503 is formed with a relatively thin lip
portion to allow fluid flow forces to affect the opening size and
therefore the resistance to flow. In FIG. 12A, forward flow forces
"FF" are indicated which cause valve 500 to have its center opening
505 expanded from its normal condition to a diameter (a) and to be
in its open state. In FIG. 12B, reverse flow forces "RF" are
indicated which cause the valve 500 to have its center opening 505
forced down to a diameter (a') (wherein a' is less in diameter than
a) and to be in its relatively closed state. Although not fully
closed in FIG. 12B, but wih a reduced opening a', the valve 500
becomes more restrictive to reverse flow and for purposes of this
description is said to be relatively closed in order to distinguish
it from its open position when exposed to forward flow forces.
[0061] In FIGS. 13A and 13B, a third embodiment of the invention is
shown. In this embodiment, an inertia pump 600 employs a pair of
throttle valves 500' and 500'' such as depicted in FIGS. 12A and
12B. Although not depicted in a piston of an internal combustion
engine, this embodiment is an alternative to those shown earlier
and is well suited for inclusion in such a piston. A housing 601 is
provided for the pump elements and passages. Inside housing 601, a
large bore 613 is formed to provide a defined space to house the
pump plunger mass element 617. A pump displacement chamber 615 is
formed to allow for movement of a pump plunger extension 619 to
move therein. A passage 603 is formed to communicate with bore 613
and a first throttle valve 500' which is referred to as the inlet
valve, oriented for low resistance to flow of oil from the bore 613
(open). Passage 610 provides communication between inlet valve 500'
and displacement chamber 615. Passage 610 also communicates with a
second throttle valve 500'' which is referred to as the outlet
valve and is oriented for low resistance flow of oil from passage
610 to an outlet 611 (closed). The opposite end of large bore 613
contains a stop element 639 to limit the movement of the plunger
mass element in its movement to recharge the pump. An opening 649
is formed within stop 639 to allow oil to pass from the source to
the pump, as indicated by the flow arrows. The plunger mass element
617 is formed generally as a cylinder with a plurality of open
longitudinal flutes or grooves 621 formed along its length. The
flutes 621 allow for both a flow of oil from the source to the
passage 603 and movement of the plunger mass element 617 in
response to inertia forces, as has been discussed in the earlier
embodiments.
[0062] In this embodiment, as the associated piston (PLI)
approaches its BDC position, and deceleration occurs, plunger mass
element is forced to its extreme right position within bore 613. In
doing so, plunger extension 619 also moves to the right and causes
a vacuum to be developed in the displacement chamber 615 which
pulls oil through inlet passage 603 and open inlet valve 500'. The
same vacuum is present at outlet valve 500'', but since it is a
reverse force applied to the valve, the amount of oil and vapor
being pulled into passage 610 is very small in comparison to the
amount of oil provided from the source and through inlet valve
500'. Therefore, the outlet valve is considered effectively closed
during the recharging of the pump.
[0063] As the piston (PLI) associated with the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 13A and 13B approaches its TDC and decelerates, the plunger
mass is driven to the left by the inertia forces. Plunger extension
619 also is driven to the left to cause a predetermined measure of
oil to be forced through the open outlet valve 500'' and outlet
611. Excess oil is forced through the inlet valve 500' in a reverse
direction, passage 603 and into the bore 613 as a relief to the
pressure in the pump passage 610 and to prevent an excess of oil
from being injected into the cylinder ring area. Although inlet
throttle valve 500' is considered relatively closed when reverse
flow pressure is applied as the piston approaches TDC, the valve is
sized to allow sufficient oil to flow through to relieve the
pressure in the pump while allowing the proper amount of oil to be
forced through outlet valve 500'' and outlet 611 to lubricate the
piston rings.
[0064] A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 14A and 14B, as inertia pump 700 located in left inner piston
PLI. Piston face 801, piston rings 841 and 843 are indicated to the
left of (and above) the piston oil outlet port 870 adjacent
cylinder wall 817 in FIG. 14AB. In this embodiment, a normally
closed check valve 725 is utilized as the pump outlet valve. A
throttle valve 500''' is employed as the inlet valve, similar to
that shown in the third embodiment. The fourth embodiment functions
in the same manner as the third embodiment, with the exception that
the outlet valve 725 is completely closed while the pump is
charging (piston PLI approaching and leaving BDC). This prevents
vapor or other non-oil elements from being sucked into the outlet
passage while the pump is charging and a vacuum is developed in
pump displacement chamber 715. The inlet valve 500''' functions in
the same manner as in the third embodiment to provide relief for
excess oil to flow in a reverse direction from oil passage 710, to
inlet passage 703 and into bore 713. Like the third embodiment, the
pump mass element 717 is generally cylindrical in shape to slide
reciprocally in bore 713 in response to the induced inertia forces
from the associated piston. Flutes or grooves 721 are like those
shown in the third embodiment.
[0065] From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been
brought to the art a new and improved system and method for
lubricating the piston rings and associated surfaces of a piston
and cylinder in an internal combustion engine. It is to be
understood that the preceding description of the embodiments is
merely illustrative of some of the many specific embodiments that
represent applications of the principles of the present invention.
Clearly, numerous and other arrangements would be evident to those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *